Stories

Caleb McPike

HistoryOrganized August 19, 1862, under Colonel William L. McMillen, the next day it proceeded to Kentucky and soon engaged in the disasterous battle at Richmond, where most of the Regiment was captured. The men were exchanged in November, and until May, 1863, were kept at work in drill and reorganization. It moved to Memphis, then down the river to Vicksburg, where it participated in the battles and siege that resulted in the downfall of that stronghold. It again moved to Memphis, and in June, 1864, formed part of an expedition marching into the interior of Mississippi under General Sturgis. It met with disaster, sustaining a loss of one half its number. The following month it pursued the same line of march with better success. Later the Regiment operated in Arkansas and Missouri, and in December, 1864, joined General Thomas at Nashville, participating in the battle at that place. It followed in the pursuit of Hood, and in March, 1865, joined Canby at Mobile. After the evacuation it moved north to Montgomery. The Regiment was finally mustered out August 19, 1865, after sustaining a loss of over 500 men during its term of service.

Organized at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and mustered in August 19, 1862. Moved to Lexington, Ky., August 20. Attached to Cruft's Brigade, Army of Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio. Battle of Richmond, Ky., August 29-30. Regiment mostly captured. Exchanged November 20, 1862. Reorganizing at Camp Chase, Ohio, till, March, 1863. Left State for Memphis, Tenn., March 25. Moved from Memphis, Tenn., to Young's Point, La., and Duckport Landing March 29-April 1. Attached to 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to December, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to August, 1865.

SERVICE.-Operations against Vicksburg, Miss., April 2-July 4. Moved to join army in rear of Vicksburg, Miss., May 2-14. Mississippi Springs May 13. Baldwyn's Ferry May 13. Jackson May 14. Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Expedition to Mechanicsburg May 26-June 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Camp at Big Black till November. Expedition to Canton October 14-20. Bogue Chitto Creek October 17. Ordered to Memphis, Tenn., November 12. and guard Memphis & Charleston Railroad near that city till February, 1864. Lafayette, Tenn., December 27, 1863 (Detachment). Expedition to Wyatt's, Miss., February 6-18. Coldwater Ferry February 8. Near Senatobia February 8-9. Hickahala Creek February 10. Duty at Memphis till June. Sturgis' Expedition from Memphis to Ripley April 30-May 9. Sturgis' Expedition to Guntown, Miss., June 1-13. Brice's or Tishamingo Creek, near Guntown, June 10. Davis Mills June 12. Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., July 5-21. Camargo's Cross Roads, near Harrisburg, July 13. Harrisburg, near Tupelo, July 14-15. Old Town or Tishamingo Creek July 15. Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-30. Abbeville August 23. Moved to Duvall's Bluff, Ark., September 1. March through Arkansas and Missouri in pursuit of Price September 17-November 16. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., November 21-December 1. Little Harpeth December 6. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. At Eastport, Miss., till February, 1865. Moved to New Orleans, La., February 9-22, thence to Mobile Point, Ala. Campaign against Mobile, Ala., and its defences March 17-April 12. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12. March to Montgomery April 13-26. Duty there and in the Depts. of Alabama and Mississippi till August. Mustered out August 19, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 58 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 215 Enllsted men by disease. Total 276.

Obituary Caleb McPike

Caleb McPike aged 85 years, a veteran of the Civil War and well known resident of Paint Twp. died of penumonia at his home on the Old Xenia Rd 4 miles south of London, Friday morning at 6 o'clock. Mr. McPike was born in Chambersburg, Pa 23 January 1826. He came to Ohio in 1859 and lived here ever since. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Co. B 95th O. V. I. and served 3 years.

Mr. McPike was married twice, the second wife dying July 28, 1904. The following children survive: Mrs. Ella Murphy of Van Wert, Mrs. Albert E. Moomaw and Leonard McPike of Dalton Station, Ill; Mrs. O. B. Allen of Springfield; Boots McPike of Columbus; Miss Lola McPike at home. The funeral service was held at the home Sunday afternoon under the auspices of Lyon post 121 G.A.R.; Rev. K. O. Jenkson of London officiating. The body was buried in Paint Cemetery.